Northeast Florida COVID-19 Resources

Below you can find a list of COVID-19 resources for residents in Jacksonville and the Northeast Florida region prior to officially launching our new one-stop guide for immigrant resources. We are updating this list as we go. This page is also available in Arabic and Spanish.

The map below has locations for the following service providers:

  • Food Pantries & Meals: Blue pins
  • Legal Aid & Immigration Services: Green pins
  • Veterans Assistance: Orange pins

Click here to view the map in a mobile-friendly version

 COVID-19 Testing & Updates

  • The Florida Department of Health is running the state COVID-19 Call Center at (866) 779-6121 or COVID-19@flhealth.gov.  You can also visit their website for updates on COVID-19.

  • The Florida Department of Children & Families has a  COVID-19 information.

  • The City of Jacksonville has set up drive-thru testing sites for COVID-19. First complete your online screening at TelescopeHealth.com before requesting for an appointment.

  • The United Way for Northeast Florida has a website on local resources for COVID-19. Visit their website or dial 2-1-1 for more information.

  • The Duval Department of Health has a list of COVID-19 related resources and information on their webpage. They also have up-to-date information on testing sites.

Unemployment Compensation

Small Business Owners

  • The Florida Small Business Emergency bridge Loan program is accepting applications from small business owners in all Florida counties experiencing economic hardship resulting from COVID-19. Follow this link for more details.

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing financial assistance to small business owners affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. Visit their website for more details.

Medicaid Benefits

  • Most of Medicaid providers have over-the-counter benefits of $25 per month for families on Medicaid. To claim this benefit, call their customer service line at 1-866-7927 (TTY 1-877-247-6272). For more information, visit their website.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program

  • At the request of Governor DeSantis, and in accordance with the federal Families First Coronavirus Act, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will waive work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. To check the status of your benefits, report changes, receive information faster by opting-in to receive electronic notifications, and upload documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, log into your MyACCESS account.

Mental Health

  • Florida Blue and New Directions Behavioral Health have teamed up to offer a hotline to help Floridians deal with their anxiety over the COVID-19 crisis. Specially trained behavioral health counselors will answer the phone 24-hours a day and offer assistance in both English and Spanish. To receive assistance, please call 833-848-1762.

Students

  • Step Up for Students is offering five scholarships to children in various types of situations (low income, bullied youth, etc.).

Florida KidCare

  • Florida KidCare insurance applications can be submitted online for children 18 and under who may have lost health or dental insurance coverage.

Complimentary Internet 

  • Comcast announced they will offer 60 days of complimentary no-cost internet access for new low-income customers: 

  • Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.

Electric/Water Utilities

  • JEA is suspending service disconnections for customers unable to pay their bills during the COVID-19 disaster. You should not have your power or water cut off for failure to pay. Click here for payment arrangements and payment extensions.

  • North Florida Community Action Agency is now receiving CARES act monies for the following:

  • Up to $3,000 for electricity through 9/2021 per household

  • Up to $2,000 for rent/water/sewer through 9/2022 per household

  • Program will start to release funding next week contact 904-362-8052 to schedule an appointment.

Legal Aid 

Immigrations 

Elderly Services

  • Many local Aging and Disability Resource Centers (often referred to as Area Agency on Aging) are providing meals to senior citizens. Please see our map to locate the center for NE Florida: ElderSource.

Veterans Assistance

  • National Resource Directory: The National Resource Directory is a searchable database of resources vetted for the use of service members, veterans, family members and caregivers.  

  • City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department: The Military Affairs and Veterans Department is well-suited to meet the needs of members of the armed forces veterans and their families. The Department works closely with area defense facilities and encourages the military missions they perform. The staff assists Veterans and their families file claims and apply for social and educational assistance.  

  • Baker County Veterans Service Office: The Baker County Veterans Service Office assists Veterans and their dependents in preparing claims for benefits or privileges to which they may be entitled as administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.  

  • Clay County Veteran Services:  Assists Veterans and their dependents with VA benefits for non-service-connected pension, service-connected compensations, medical treatment, burial allowances, grave markers, presidential memorial certificates, copies of military personnel and service medical records, and more. The Veterans Service Office assists Clay County Veterans with filing for educational benefits, obtaining VA Home Loan certificates of eligibility, and much more.  

  • Nassau County Veterans Service: The Nassau County Veterans’ Service Office provides free benefit claims counseling and information and referral assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors.  

  • St. Johns County Veteran’s Services: The Veterans Services Office assists veterans and their dependents in applying for benefits to which they are entitled under Federal or State Law or Regulations by reason of Active Military Service in the Armed Forces of the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, preparation of formal claims and appeals relating to Compensation, Education, Loan Guaranty for Homes, Special Adapted Housing, Pension, Medical Care, Insurance, Burial Benefits and related matters. 

Families and Children

Multilingual Resources

Other Resources

  • The Red Cross has developed a webpage dedicated to assisting immigrants with COVID-19-related ‘frequently asked questions’.

  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a document that lays out technology and practice considerations for organizations adopting a virtual case management approach. Details can be found here.

  • SHINE is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Local Area Agency on Aging. With this program, specially trained volunteers can assist Florida seniors with Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. More information can be found here.

  • Due to COVID-19, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) office remains closed. FLHSMV continues to provide services online at www.GoRenew.com.

  • The Society of Healthcare Providers has put together a guide titled “Assessing Barriers to Following COVID-19 Prevention Guidance Among Resettled Refugees”. That document can be found here.

How are others dealing with COVID-19?

Watch videos from Coping with COVID-19: Conversations for Global Solidarity.

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